6 Responses to “Reddit Ask Me Anything”

“Gun clubs and shops that cater to black and LGBT clients say there has been an uptick in interest in firearms since November among those who fear that racial and gender-based violence could increase during Donald Trump’s presidency.”

Just wondering: Is anyone in the broader gun rights movement strategizing to take advantage of that? Or, are there as many or more who identify themselves as pro-gun, but are using it to fuel fear of non-white folks with guns, and fear of a viable resistance to their man?

I’m just recalling how the first (arguably?) “open carry” movement was initiated by the Black Panthers in California in the 1960s, and that Ronald Reagan et al were having none of it.

What does our movement have to say about today’s Huey Newton Gun Clubs, to cite just one example?

I know that Erin Palette at “Blue Collar Prepping” and “The Gun Blog Variety Cast” created “Operation Blazing Sword” to organize instructors willing to give free intro firearms instruction to people in the LGBT community. She started her efforts in response to the shooting in Orlando.

I’m not familiar with anything being done to reach out to other minorities, though, although we certainly need such outreach.

We’re probably not doing enough to reach out, I would say. But I do think as a movement we’ve largely gotten past the fear of non-white folks arming up that was prevalent among my grandparent’s generation. I don’t really see the Black Panthers, for instance, as being much different than the more radical militia groups that formed later. As I said, it’s a very American thing to do.

And isn’t amazing that conservative/right of center gun owners/club/shooting facilities are open and welcoming to these groups? In some ways it makes you wonder if the LGBT and urban gun owners fears are really founded?